AlZrC2 synthesis

AlZrC2 was synthesized using a direct solid-state method. Various types of carbon were used as starting materials together with aluminum zirconium carbide powders. The effect of different carbon on the formation of Al–Zr–C compounds formation were investigated. The atomic arrangement of carbon affects the Al–Zr–C compounds formation, i.e., crystalline carbon facilitates Zr2Al3C5 formation while glassy carbon facilitates AlZrC2 formation. High purity AlZrC2 was prepared from the appropriate mol ratio of Al:ZrC:glassy carbon by heating in vacuum at 1600 °C for 1 h. However, a little amount of Zr2Al3C5 still formed due to graphitization of glassy carbon at high temperature. Glassy carbon from sugar showed a lower degree of crystallization (graphitization) than glassy carbon from phenolic resin. Finally, the obtained two phase specimen was ground and heat treated again using pulse electric current sintering to produce single AlZrC2.